New statistics show Iran making progress against landmines

Iran's ministry of defence says 60 percent of the country's landmine-infested areas have been cleaned up. Islamic Republic News Agency reports that according to the latest statistics, the remaining 40 percent of infested areas are spread out among five Western Provinces.

The ministry did not identify the provinces; however, landmines left over from the Iran-Iraq War in the 1980s continue to claim casualties in Kurdistan, Khuzestan, Ilam, Kermanshah and Western Azerbaijan Provinces.

The report adds that five bases have been established in these provinces and they are looking at replenishing the landmine-defusing teams.